8 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

“I would love to eat healthy, but I just don’t have the budget or time for that right now.”

With all the expensive juices, powders, and superfoods that people think they need to be “healthy,” I don’t blame people for saying that! But as a nutrition student applying to get my master’s degree and become a registered dietitian (RD), I’ve been living that college budget life for quite some time.

One of the most common questions I get asked is: “How can I afford eating healthy on such a tight budget?” Well, I’m here to share with you helpful tips I’ve picked up along the way and a couple of easy, affordable recipes (that come out to under $3.00 per serving) just to show how tasty low-cost, healthy eating can be.

1. Shop in season

Almost 100 percent of the time, in-season produce will be cheaper. So research what’s in season during the time of year and stock up! You can always freeze what you don’t use and just pull it back out whenever you need it again. (But just check the expiration dates for meats and vegetables, because they don’t last forever!)

2. Buy in bulk or frozen

Bulk foods (grains, nuts, etc.), canned goods, and frozen fruits and vegetables are fairly inexpensive. In fact, frozen fruits and vegetables are actually picked when they’re perfectly ripe and frozen within a couple of hours, so they’re still packed with all the nutrients and flavor. They last a long time and are easy to add into any meal.

3. Find sales and use coupons

There are sales constantly going on throughout grocery stores and a lot of stores have coupon booklets available to help save you a ton of money. Don’t be afraid to grab extra for additional discounts on your next purchases as coupons often last a while.

4. Plan your meals and stick to your list

Planning helps you stay on track. Buy only what you need and repurpose ingredients for other recipes. For example, cooked quinoa can be used for dinner as well as morning porridge.

5. Hit up the farmers market

Local farmers markets are great places to buy seasonal produce for less than what’s sold in a regular grocery store. Plus, they’re most likely fresher as they’re coming directly from local farms.

6. Bring cash when shopping

Using cash forces you to only spend a specific amount of money for the items you genuinely need and prevents you from buying that random bag of sprouted wild goji berries.

7. Shop only on the perimeter of the stores

Yep, grocery stores strategically planned. Fresh, whole foods are normally placed on the outer rings of your grocery store. By sticking to the outside, you’re more likely to avoid the temptation of buying foods that are typically more expensive and processed.

8. Buy a variety of protein sources

Adding in plant-based protein sources to your diet can be significantly cheaper than animal products, which in turn can help you save some serious cash. Just a few examples are:

Now you have some tools and ideas on how you can start living a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. It’s definitely not about being perfect. But by taking baby steps you’ll start to notice how much better you feel, how amazing real food can taste, and it will start to become a whole lot easier as it becomes a part of your lifestyle.

J.J. Beasley is the man behind the Instagram and Facebook accounts @BeazysBites. He recently graduated with an undergrad degree in Business Management and International Business. He’s in the process of getting a master’s degree in nutrition and becoming a registered dietitian (while working part-time at a hospital as a nutrition assistant). He wishes to help others pursue a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle, and cannot wait to make his passion into a lifelong career.